Common Name: THEOPHRASTA FAMILY
Habit: Perennial herb [shrub, tree], [generally glandular-hairy]. Leaf: simple, alternate but generally clustered at stem tips, petioled, stipules 0, margins entire [spiny-toothed]. Inflorescence: generally terminal, [rarely flowers 1 in axils]. Flower: bisexual [unisexual, plants dioecious], radial, parts generally in 5s, generally with glandular dots, lines, or pits; sepals free or united at base; corolla united at base, lobes spreading; stamens epipetalous, opposite corolla lobes, anthers forming cone as flower opens, then spreading; staminodes 5, alternate stamens, epipetalous, scale-, petal-, or stamen-like; ovary partly inferior, 1-chambered, placenta free-central or basal, style 1, stigma head-like. Fruit: capsule [generally dry berry or drupe]. Seed: 1--many, generally yellow to orange-red.
Genera In Family: 7--9 genera, +- 100 species: generally tropical America. Note: Incl in Primulaceae in TJM (1993).
Unabridged Note: Incl in Primulaceae in TJM (1993). The partially inferior ovary as well as aspects of staminode anatomy are unusual for Primulaceae. Recent research (Källersjö et al. 2000 Amer J Bot 87:1325--1341) has shown that Samolus is a sister-taxon to Theophrastaceae, providing evidence for its removal from Primulaceae.
eFlora Treatment Author: Anita F. Cholewa
Scientific Editor: Thomas J. Rosatti.

Habit: Erect, glabrous. Leaf: cauline or basal and cauline, alternate. Inflorescence: raceme, terminal and axillary. Flower: corolla > calyx, white. Fruit: spheric, valves 5, opposite calyx lobes.
Etymology: (Celtic: from curative properties)